BILL NUMBER: AB 1489	CHAPTERED  07/26/99

	CHAPTER   181
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 26, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   JULY 26, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   JULY 15, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   MAY 10, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 5, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Maldonado

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to amend Section 35402 of the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1489, Maldonado.  Length of vehicles:  extensions.
   Existing law limits the length of vehicles and combinations of
vehicles coupled together.  Under existing law, any extension or
device used to increase the carrying capacity of a vehicle is
generally included in measuring the length of a vehicle.  However,
extensions of not more than 18 inches in length on the last vehicle
in a combination of vehicles transporting loads are not included in
measuring the length when the vehicles are loaded.
   This bill would not include, in measuring the length, an 18-inch
extension on the front of the first trailer and the rear of the last
vehicle when the vehicles are loaded and are on highways, other than
those highways designated by the United States Department of
Transportation as national network routes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 35402 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:
   35402.  (a) Any extension or device, including any adjustable axle
added to the front or rear of a vehicle, used to increase the
carrying capacity of a vehicle shall be included in measuring the
length of a vehicle, except that a drawbar shall not be included in
measuring the length of a vehicle but shall be included in measuring
the overall length of a combination of vehicles.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), extensions of not more than
18 inches in length on each end of a vehicle or combination of
vehicles used exclusively to transport vehicles shall not be included
in measuring the length of a vehicle or combination of vehicles when
the vehicles are loaded.
   (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), extensions of not more than
18 inches in length on the front of the first trailer and the rear of
the last vehicle in a combination of vehicles transporting loads
shall not be included in measuring the length of a vehicle or
combination of vehicles when the vehicles are loaded and are on
highways, other than those highways designated by the United States
Department of Transportation as national network routes.
   (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any extension or device which
is not used to carry any load and which does not exceed three feet
in length, added to the rear of a vehicle, and is used exclusively
for pushing the vehicle or a combination of vehicles, which vehicle
or combination of vehicles is designed and used exclusively to
transport earth, sand, gravel, and similar materials, shall be
included in measuring the length of the vehicle but shall not be
included in measuring the overall length of the combination of
vehicles.
   (e) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a truck semitrailer
combination, but not a truck tractor and semitrailer combination, may
use a sliding fifth wheel, or a truck tractor, semitrailer, trailer,
and a truck-trailer combination may use a sliding drawbar, to extend
the length of the combination by not more than 2 feet 6 inches while
traveling 35 miles per hour or less on any highway, except a
freeway.  These provisions shall apply, however, to freeway onramps
and offramps and freeway connectors.  The sliding fifth wheel or
drawbar when extended shall not be included in measuring the overall
length of the combination of vehicles if the pivot point of the
semitrailer connection is more than two feet to the rear of the
center of the rearmost axle of the motortruck or if the distance from
the pivot point to the center of the rearmost axle of the
semitrailer does not exceed 34 feet.
   Combinations of vehicles permitted by this subdivision  shall be
in compliance with the weight limits provided in Article 1
(commencing with Section 35550) of  Chapter 5 whenever any drawbar or
sliding fifth wheel is extended, contracted, or in any intermediate
position as provided for by this subdivision.
